The compositions and arrangements set them apart--much like the Soft Machine and Zappa (in a progressive jazz-rock mode) before them. The band is tight and filled with adventure, the charts are hip and the couple of vocals fit right in with it all.
I could listen to Michel Delville's playing all day. He's that good and into his own thing to boot. But the whole package rings true and gives you a most fascinating listen.
Absolutely recommended!
The Soft Machine Legacy have made some great albums for MoonJune records and the newest one, Burden of Proof (MoonJune 052) is one of the very best. The latest lineup turns out to be a very lively one, long-time Soft Machine drummer John Marshall, Roy Babbington on electric bass, Theo Travis on reeds, flute and electric piano, and John Etheridge on guitar.
What made the Soft Machine special continues on. A composition-centered approach, their special spacey combination of jazz and rock, strong riffing, strong soloing, it's all still there.
John Etheridge sounds especially great these days on guitar. He has chops but he doesn't throw away notes--the speed is there for the linear curve of his soloing and he knows what to play when. He does. John Marshall is his usual dynamic-force self on drums. Theo Travis plays the sort of sax-reed solos that push the band forward and his keys give the band the Soft's sound in that much more reminiscent a way. And Roy Babbington has that unshakable solidity on bass that Hopper established as central to the band's identity. So there you go.
The material is strong and the playing is strong. They triumph again and I wouldn't just say that. It's a great disk.
